Nothing against the Midwest, but Gavin Triezenberg has had enough of the often nasty spring weather around here.
That’s one of the reasons the Brother Rice senior is heading to warm and sunny Tucson to play college baseball for Arizona.
“I went to a camp out there (in January) and I just fell in love with the place,” Triezenberg said after a recent game. “The coaches, just everything, the atmosphere. And then obviously I I talked to them and felt like it was the right place for me and the right fit.”
More reasons: “The plan they had for me and (it’s) a great school. I just want to play in warm weather.”
The Wildcats have one of college baseball’s premier programs, winning four College World Series, finishing second four more times and advancing to 43 NCAA Tournaments.
They also have produced numerous major-league players, including current Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona.
“I just feel like they’re very good at developing players and getting them to MLB, which is obviously my goal,” Triezenberg said.
The 6-3, 205-pounder committed in February, allowing him to focus on what has been a special season for the Crusaders, who were 29-3 after sweeping St. Laurence 12-2 and 6-2 last week to win the Catholic League Blue title.
“It was a relief, for sure,” Triezenberg said of being done with recruiting. “Because obviously that’s in the back of your mind if you want to think about it or not. But definitely it’s there.”
In any case, Triezenberg has emerged as one of the state’s premier players. Through last week, the Crusaders’ leadoff hitter and shortstop was batting .464 with 38 runs scored, 38 more driven in and an eye-popping 1.279 OPS.
He also had a team-high 19 stolen bases.
“He’s a very smart baserunner, probably our smartest,” Brother Rice coach Sean McBride said. “He’s really good at stealing third base and delayed stealing. You can do a lot of things with him.”
What’s the scouting report on Triezenberg?
“Steady, hard-working,” McBride said. “More of a leader by example. Someone that I’ve known since he was in sixth grade, (I) know his family very well. More than just a baseball player to us, he’s family to us.
“And he’s a really good player. He can play multiple positions and he’s a team guy. He’s grown into his body. He can run now and he’s really a five-tool guy.”
Triezenberg hit .337 with 26 runs and 23 RBIs last season when the Crusaders finished 20-18. He set about getting better at “honestly, just everything.
“I wanted to get bigger, stronger, faster and I feel I’ve done that.”